Playworkers and young volunteers at the Motoyoshi Adventure playground in Kesennuma, an area ravaged by a tsunami in March

HUNDREDS of children revelled in the sun at a music-themed play day, as local figures welcomed visitors from Japan who helped a community devastated by an earthquake by building a playground.

The youngsters tooted and drummed their way through the fun-filled 'Playday Rocks the Park' event last Wednesday (August 3) afternoon, held at the Hayes End Recreation Ground, in Kingsway, Hayes.

Some took part in races and other sporting activities, and others got henna tattoos and had their faces painted.

The guests of honour on the day were playworkers from the Motoyoshi Adventure Playground in the Japanese coastal city of Kesennuma, which was one of the areas worst affected by a tsunami which struck in March.

The playground was built in the aftermath of the disaster in just five weeks, with the whole community chipping in - local school children painted signboards, and elders chopped logs and carried building materials.

It was delivered on a shoestring budget, as nearly all of the materials used were recycled and came at next to no cost, and all of the playworkers were volunteers.

It has since become a focal point in the community, and a shining example of what can be achieved with a little determination and a lot of faith in the importance of play.

The fact-finding tour was funded by the Daiwa Foundation, which gives grants to projects promoting anglo-Japanese links, and the visitors were warmly greeted by John McDonnell MP and Councillor Dominic Gilham (Yiewsley, Cons).

Hitoshi Shimamura, of Tokyo Play, said: "It was our first visit to a play day, and it was great to see so many children in one place enjoying themselves. Motoyoshi is a real success story, and the parents there are very happy. It is always very busy.

"The tsunami was really horrendous. Thousands are dead or still missing, and ten per cent of the community was wiped out. People are still recovering from the shock, but play has helped local children to get over the trauma, it has that power."

The playday, an annual event, was organised by the Hillingdon Play Association (HPA), who are promoting outdoor play through their CROP (Children Reclaiming Our Parks) project, launched earlier this year.

Ute Navidi, HPA volunteer, said: "We hope that by putting on these play days, we are reminding people of the excellent facilities on their doorsteps.

"Some parents may have fears about taking their children to parks, but these spaces are there for families and they can be made safe."

She added: "We at the HPA have been fascinated to hear about the excellent work our friends from Japan have done in an area destroyed by a natural disaster. It is proof that play can bring people together and be the cement that binds a community.

"In this country, it would take years to plan and deliver the Motoyoshi project, but they did it in just a couple of weeks. It has been really useful to exchange ideas about managing and delivering play schemes, and foster these international links."

Funding for the HPA will cease in October, and its future hangs in the balance as it seeks other sources of income.